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SoCal businesses and public institutions can get $7 per square foot to ditch their lawns

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 15:33 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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Los Angeles Launches a $7‑Per‑Square‑Foot Incentive to Replace Lawns and Save Water

In a bold move to curb the city’s water consumption, Los Angeles officials have announced a new incentive program that rewards businesses and public institutions for replacing water‑intensive lawns with drought‑resistant landscapes. The program, unveiled last week by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), offers up to $7 per square foot for every square foot of turf that is removed and replaced with native, low‑water‑use plants or xeriscape materials.

Why the City Is Cutting Lawns

California’s prolonged droughts and the federal “Water Conservation Act” of 2022 have spurred cities across the state to seek aggressive water‑saving measures. Los Angeles alone consumes roughly 3.4 billion gallons of water each day, and about 30 percent of that is used to irrigate lawns. “Lawns are an expensive and unsustainable part of our water budget,” said LADWP Commissioner Maya Patel during the program launch. “By encouraging businesses to ditch lawns, we’ll not only reduce water withdrawals but also lessen stormwater runoff and the heat island effect that plagues our urban neighborhoods.”

The city’s new incentive comes as part of a broader climate‑action strategy that aims to cut municipal water use by 25 percent by 2035. It also aligns with California’s 2024 “Water‑Smart Communities” initiative, which has allocated state funds to help municipalities implement water‑conservation programs.

How the Incentive Works

The program is available to all commercial properties, educational institutions, government agencies, and non‑profit organizations that own or manage outdoor spaces. Applicants must:

1. Remove the existing turf and any associated irrigation infrastructure.
2. Install a drought‑resistant landscape that meets the California Native Plant Society’s criteria or a recognized xeriscaping standard.
3. Submit documentation that verifies the removal and installation, including before‑and‑after photos and a certified soil test.

Once approved, the incentive covers up to $7 per square foot of replaced turf, up to a maximum of $25,000 per property. “We’re effectively paying for a portion of the replacement cost, which can be a significant portion of the overall project,” explained Patel. “The goal is to make it financially viable for businesses to take action now.”

The incentive is funded through a $15 million allocation from the DWR’s “Urban Water‑Efficiency Fund.” According to the program’s official page—linked in the LA Times article—applications will be accepted through December 31, 2025, with a rolling review process that allows early applicants to receive rebates within six months of project completion.

Eligibility and Application Process

Businesses and institutions with outdoor areas ranging from 500 to 20,000 square feet qualify. Smaller properties are encouraged to consider “micro‑landscaping” projects that still meet the program’s standards. Applicants must submit an online form through the LADWP portal, upload required documentation, and await a preliminary review. If the proposal meets the eligibility criteria, the project is slated for a site visit by a certified horticulturist to verify the installation meets the program’s drought‑resistance requirements.

The official program page also highlights that the incentive can be combined with other rebates, such as those for installing rain barrels, gray‑water systems, or energy‑efficient irrigation controllers. “We’re creating a holistic approach to water conservation,” said DWR Director Tom Nguyen. “By bundling rebates, we can cover a broader range of upgrades and accelerate the transition away from high‑water‑use lawns.”

Community Reaction

Local business owners have expressed enthusiasm for the program. “We’ve been looking for a way to cut costs and reduce our water bill, and this incentive aligns with both goals,” said Maria Lopez, owner of a downtown coffee shop that applied for the rebate. “We’ve already started planning a native plant patio that will be beautiful in the summer.”

Environmental groups have lauded the initiative, noting that native landscaping can also support local pollinators and reduce the need for chemical fertilization. “This is a win‑win for the city and its residents,” said Joshua Kim, director of the Los Angeles Conservation Council. “Replacing turf with drought‑resistant plants will help protect our aquifers and improve the urban ecosystem.”

The Bigger Picture

The program’s launch follows a series of other water‑conservation efforts in the region. The California Drought Mitigation Program, funded through a state bond measure, recently awarded $100 million to cities for water‑saving infrastructure, while the federal “Water‑Smart Cities Grant” has funded pilot projects for smart irrigation. Los Angeles is also experimenting with “green roofs” and “permeable pavements” to further reduce runoff and increase groundwater recharge.

In addition to the direct financial benefits, the city’s leaders hope the incentive will spur a cultural shift away from lawns as a status symbol. “Lawns are an outdated aesthetic that ties us to a water‑intensive past,” said Patel. “By making it easy and affordable to adopt more sustainable landscaping, we’re encouraging a healthier, more resilient city.”

The LA Times article, which first reported on the program, linked to the official LADWP and DWR webpages for more detailed eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and FAQs. Those interested can review the program’s fine print, which includes compliance requirements for native plant selection, irrigation scheduling, and post‑installation maintenance.

Looking Ahead

If the incentive program proves successful, the city may expand it to residential developers, community gardens, and even public parks. “We are monitoring the uptake closely,” said Patel. “If we see significant participation and measurable water savings, we’ll explore scaling the initiative across the county and beyond.”

For now, Los Angeles stands at a pivotal moment where a single $7‑per‑square‑foot rebate could ripple across the city’s water budget, landscape aesthetics, and environmental health. Whether the program will inspire a lawn‑free future remains to be seen, but the city’s willingness to invest in sustainable alternatives signals a clear shift in urban water management policy.